Chamber for housing animals during anaesthetic procedures

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a chamber having at least one operator hand access port; the port comprising a port aperture located within the chamber wall; and at least two flexible non-resilient lightweight sealing gas-tight flaps(SFs), disposed the same plane of the port aperture in an overlapping manner, entirely enclosing the port aperture; each of the SFs is defined by a port aperture edge and chamber edges; the chamber edges are anchored to the chamber wall along more than half of the perimeter of the flap, at a distance from the center of the port greater than the radius of the port and beyond its perimeter; the port aperture edge of each flap is stretched across an entire chord of the port aperture; stretched port apertures edges define an interior access zone, disposed the same plane of the port aperture, characterized solely by the port aperture edges.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to flat sealing mechanism forglovebox-like chambers and more specifically, sealing mechanisms andmethods for animal treating in high pressure anaesthetic chambers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Encapsulated boxes (usually called gloveboxes), routinely utilized e.g.,in sterile medicine activities, pharmaceutics preparations, foodanalysis, and hazards and radioactive contaminatable uses are known inthe art. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,123 to Brackenbush, a flap or door likesolution is offered for use with a radioactive safe glove box. The flapsare however, heavy and gravity sensitive, resilient and stiff, renderingthe openings leaky with respect to gases and biohazards. U.S. Pat. Nos.2,528,332; 2,436,291; 2,803,370; 3,086,674; 4,331,254 and U.S. Pat. No.5,104,206 disclose a few embodiments of a glove-less glovebox, havingone or more operator hand access port (OHAP) sealed by either (i) oneflexible membrane having a star-like (not a port or aperture -crossing-)centralized aperture into which the hand of the operator is inserted, or(ii) a multilayered stack composed of a few flexible membranes, each ofwhich has a star-like centralized aperture into which the hand of theoperator is inserted. The aforementioned apertures are slightlydisoriented (e.g., rotated) with respect to each another or slightlydislocated (e.g., decentralized) with respect to each other . Theaforesaid embodiments are suitable solely for non-pressurizedgloveboxes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,450 presents a pressure resistant sealwhich comprises a means defining an aperture and a plurality of closuresmembers of flexible sheet material, attached in a bulky mannerside-by-side to the periphery of the aperture, such that the stackedsheets are set perpendicular to the aperture cross section and a thicksealing. Such an arrangement is not suitable for certain high-pressuregloveboxes, especially animal-treating gloveboxes (e.g., anaestheticchambers).

It is clear from the above that there is a long felt and unmet need formeans and methods to enable a human operator to manipulate withdexterity small mammals in a ventilation hood or anaesthetic chamberwithout gas escaping from the aforementioned chamber into the .surrounding environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention is to provide a chamber (a glovebox or thelike) having at least one operator hand access port (OHAP). The OHPAcomprises, inter alia, (i) a port aperture located within the chamberwall; and (ii) at least two flexible non-resilient lightweight sealinggas-tight flaps (SFs). The SFs are disposed within substantially thesame plane of the port aperture in an overlapping manner, entirelyenclosing the port aperture. Each of the SFs is defined by a portaperture edge and chamber edges. In a novel and inventive manner, thechamber edges are preferably anchored to the chamber wall along morethan half of the perimeter of the flap, at a distance from the center ofthe port greater than the radius of the port and beyond its perimeter.Similarly, the port aperture edge of each flap is stretched across (andpossibly beyond) an entire chord of the port aperture. Hence, such thestretched port apertures edges define an interior access zone, disposedwithin the same plane Of the port aperture, characterized solely by theport aperture edges of the SFs.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as definedabove, wherein each of the SFs is a sheet-like member defined in a shapeselected from a group consisting, inter alia, of truncated circle;polygon, especially a polygon of a rectangular shape and a combinationthereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the OHAP comprises a plurality of M SFs, M isan integer ranging from 2 to 6; alternatively from 4 to 10;alternatively from 6 to 18; or alternatively from 10 to 60.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein at least a portion of the SFs is non-rigidmembrane, anchored to the chamber's wall by means of a gasket assembly.The gasket assembly is characterized by a clamping mechanism, such aspress-clamps mechanism, nuts-based or screws-based clamping mechanism,weld or otherwise glued clamping mechanism etc.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber is at least partially transparent.The chamber is possibly made in some of its parts of polymers, such asplastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylates, cardboards, metals, glass, and combination thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of Noperator hand access ports; N is integer >1, e.g., N=1; N≧2; N=4, 7, 120etc.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber comprises at least one (optionallyvalved-) inlet and/or outlet to provide a fluid to and/or from thechamber, such that the pressure and/or volume of the fluid within thechamber is different (i.e., lower or higher) from outside the chamber;and further wherein SFs provide fluid-tight sealing across the portaperture during operation of the chamber and manipulations therein.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the SFs fluid-tight sealing mechanism isadapted to set under a positive gas pressure.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber adapted by means of size and shapefor housing animals, especially small mammals, such as laboratoryanimals, e.g., vertebrates, invertebrates frogs, guinea pigs, hamsters,gerbils, mice, rats, rabbits, cats, canines etc. The term ‘animal’ thusrefers hereinafter to any laboratory animals, single or plural. The termalso refers to other animals, such as fish and aquatic creatures,haplorrhines, primates and humans.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber is adapted, e.g., by means of sizeand shape, for treating anaesthetized animals. Hence, the chamber ischaracterized, inter alia, by (i) a mechanism adapted to provide apositive anaesthetizing gas pressure within at least a portion of thechamber's volume; and (ii) by a SFs fluid-tight sealing mechanism, whichis adapted to set under the gas pressure.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein at least one or each of the SFs comprises atleast one substantially horizontal section (H) and at least onesubstantially vertical (V) section. The sections are set atpredetermined colliding orientations to each other.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein at least one access port is located within thechamber on a location selected from a group consisting of the side ofthe chamber; the bottom of the chamber; the roof of the chamber and acombination thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the SFs are sheet-like (two dimensional)and/or bulky (three dimensional) members.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the SFs are made of disposable materials;alternatively or additionally, the SFs are disposable items. Similarly,the chamber or parts thereof is made of disposable materials;alternatively or additionally, the chamber or parts thereof is adisposable item.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the SFs are at least partially made ofmaterials, selected in a non-limiting, manner from the group consistingof rubber, latex, polyamides, nylons, or elastomers and a combinationthereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the OHAP is adapted to be sealable against agas. The gas is selected in a non-limiting manner from the groupconsisting of oxygen, nitrogen, air, steam, any purging gas,isoflourane, methoxyflurane, halofluorane, desfluorane, sevofluorane,nitrous oxide, ether and any combination and mixtures thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inarty of the above, wherein the chamber is provided with a hermeticallysealed communication mechanism, communicating the interior volume of thechamber with (i) an imaging device, such .as an NMR, MRI, or CT, (ii)medically treating device, such as De Vinci™ medical robot, laporascopeor gastroscope, trocar, intravenous fluids irrigating mechanism etc.,such that the animal is inserted and withdrawn, manipulated, dislocated,oriented, approached near, or otherwise introduced from and to theimaging and treating device without escape of gas from the interior ofthe chamber.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber is adapted, e.g., by means of sizeand shape, to at least reversibly accommodate at least one animal. Thechamber comprises at least one mechanism selected from a groupconsisting of a drop system mechanism for administration of a fluid,especially an anesthetic material, to the animal; an anesthetic machinefor administration of anaesthesia to the animal; fluid's feedingmechanism for administration of drug, food or drinking to the animal;optical magnifying means (OMM) for viewing the animals; apertures forimmobilizing, medically treating and/or imaging the animal; and acombination thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein OMM is selected from a group consisting ofmagnifying lens, magnifying mirrors, binoculars and microscopes. The OMMis possibly embedded within the walls and/or roof of the chamber.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the chamber as defined inany of the above, wherein the chamber is dust proof, and/or biohazardproof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method for providing afluid-tight sealed chamber. This method comprises steps of providing atleast one operator hand access port as defined in any of the above;providing the port with a port aperture located within the chamber walland at least two flexible non-resilient lightweight sealing gas-tightSFs; disposing the SFs within substantially the same plane of the portaperture in an overlapping manner, entirely enclosing the port aperture;defining each of the SFs by a port aperture edge and chamber edges. Thismethod is characterized by step of anchoring the chamber edges to thechamber wall along more than half of the perimeter of the flap, at adistance from the center of the port greater than the radius of the portand beyond its perimeter. This method is further characterized by stepof stretching the port aperture edge of each flap across (and possiblybeyond-) an entire chord of the port aperture, and thus defining thestretched port apertures edges with an interior access zone, disposedwithin the same plane of the port aperture, characterized solely by theport aperture edges of the SFs.

Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a method formanipulating, medically treating or imaging animals during anaestheticprocedures without exposure of the surroundings to escaping gases. Themethod comprises steps of obtaining a chamber as defined in any of theabove; placing an animal (one or more) in the chamber; anaesthetizingthe animal with an anaesthetizing gas; manipulating, medically treatingor imaging the animal via the access ports such that substantially nogases escape from the chamber.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an integrated imagingsystem for imagine or otherwise treat anesthetized animals, the systemcomprising (a) a chamber set in a shape and dimensions to at leasttemporarily accommodating an animal to be anesthetized, imagined orotherwise treated. The chamber is potentially provided in a manner asdefined in any of the above; (b) an imaging treating and/or deviceuseful for imaging or otherwise treating the animal; and (c) bridgingmechanism in connection with the chamber and the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described in more detail, by presentingexamples, with references to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation (perspective view) of a chamberaccording to one embodiment of the invention for housing small mammalsduring anesthetic procedures having two oppositely located OHAPs,sealable against escaping gas when two operator hand enters the chamberand the chamber is under positive gas pressure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation (perspective view) of a chamberaccording to another embodiment of the invention, set aside an MRIimaging device as an integrated (connectable) anesthetizing, treatingand imaging system;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic representation (perspective view) of a chamberaccording to another embodiment of the invention, the chamberaccommodates means for anesthetizing, treating and imaging animals;

FIG. 3 b is a schematic representation (perspective view) of a chamberaccording to another embodiment of the invention, the chamberaccommodates a support for laying the anesthetized animal beforeimaging;

FIG. 3 c is a schematic representation (perspective view) of a chamberaccording to another embodiment of the invention, the chamberaccommodates an encapsulated container in which the support for layingthe anesthetized animal before imaging is reversibly provided;

FIG. 4 is a front and top view of an integrated anesthetizing, treatingand imaging system according to another embodiment of the invention; inan initial step, the chamber accommodates an encapsulated container inwhich the support for laying the anesthetized animal before imaging isreversibly provided;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation (perspective view) of an integratedanesthetizing, treating and imaging system 1000 according the saidembodiment of the invention; in a following step, the encapsulatedcontainer 60 in which the support for laying the anesthetized animal isintroduced within the imaging device 200 via the bridging mechanism.Container 101 is temporarily free of animals in this step.

FIG. 6 a is a schematic representation (top view) of SFs arrangementhaving H type and V type flaps orientations according to anotherembodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 b is a schematic representation(1^(st) side view) of the same; FIG. 6 c is a schematic representation(2^(nd) side view) of the same;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation (cross section) of an interioraccess zone in an SFs arrangement having H type and V type flapsorientations according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation (perspective view) of an SFsarrangement having H type and V type rotetably distorted flapsorientations according to another embodiment of the invention, here theflaps is having textures, apertures, openings etc);

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation (perspective view) of an SFsarrangement having H type and V type dislocated flaps orientations(dislocation along the X-Y main plane of the aperture) according toanother embodiment of the invention, here again the flaps is havingtextures, apertures, openings etc);

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation (top view) of an SFs parallelarrangement according to another embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation (top view) of an SFs twistedarrangement according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of thepresent invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to makeuse of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by theinventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however,will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the genericprinciples of the present invention have been defined specifically toprovide a high pressure chamber, e.g., for housing small mammals duringanesthetic

The sealed chamber disclosed in the present invention is sealble againstall gases used in the chamber, including purging gases, anaestheticgases and water vapour or nay other vapour. The gases may be used formaintaining or controlling the body temperature of the small mammal. Itis further acknowledged that the small mammal may be administered theanaesthetic via intubation, convection or any other means known in theart.

Several core aspects of the present invention are represented in theTable 1 below, in comparison with prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,123.

TABLE 1 The differences between the present invention and the sealdisclosed in prior art Present invention U.S. Pat No. 4,251,123Biohazard sealable 100%  0% Gas proof 100%  20% Dust and flowing- 100% 20% matter proof Radiation proof  0% 100% Gravity sensitive  0% 100%Shroud-like opening 100%  20% Flexibility 100%  40% Resiliency  0% 100%Thickness 2D Thin arrangement 3D Thick arrangement

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of a chamber according to one embodiment of theinvention. This chamber is provided useful for e.g., housing smallmammals during anesthetic procedures. The chamber (100) has twooppositely located OHAPs (10, 11), sealable against escaping gas whentwo operator hand enters the chamber and the chamber is under positivegas pressure. The .port, comprises a port aperture located within thechamber wall (3); and at least two flexible non-resilient lightweightsealing gas-tight flaps (SFs: 1, 2), disposed within the same plane ofthe port aperture in an overlapping manner, entirely enclosing the portaperture. Each of SFs 1 and 2 is defined by a port aperture edge (e.g.,11A) and chamber edges (e.g. 11B). The chamber edges are anchored to thechamber wall along more than half of the perimeter of the flap, at adistance from the center of the port greater than the radius of the portand beyond its perimeter. The SFs are anchored in FIG. 1 by means ofclamp 20. The port aperture edge of each flap is stretched across anentire chord of the port aperture; such that the stretched portapertures edges define an interior access zone 40, disposed within thesame plane of the port aperture 30, characterized solely by the portaperture edges of the SFs.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of a chamber 100 according to another embodiment ofthe invention, alongside an MRI imaging device 200 as an integrated(connectable) anesthetizing, treating and imaging system 1000.

In some embodiments of the invention, a bridging mechanism and/or aconveying mechanism is provided for conveying an animal between thechamber and the MRI.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 a which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of a chamber 101 according to another embodiment ofthe invention; the chamber accommodates means for anesthetizing,treating and imaging animals: support (e.g., bed or stretcher) 50,equipment inlet 51 and encapsulating tube 52, bridging mechanism 53 inconnection with the imaging device 200 (not shown) etc.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 b which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of a chamber 101 according to an embodiment of theinvention; the chamber accommodates a support for laying theanesthetized animal 60 before imaging.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 c which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of a chamber according to the said embodiment of theinvention, the chamber accommodates an encapsulated container 25 inwhich support 50 for laying the anesthetized animal 60 before imaging isreversibly provided.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a front and top view of anintegrated anesthetizing, treating and imaging system 1000 according tothe said embodiment of the invention. In an initial step, chamber 101accommodates an encapsulated container 25 in which the support 50 forlaying the anesthetized animal 60 (not shown) before imaging is appliedwithin the imaging device 200.

System 1000 is thus an example of an integrated imaging system forimagine or otherwise treat anesthetized animals, the system comprising(a) a chamber set in a shape and dimensions to at least temporarilyaccommodating an animal to be anesthetized, imagined or otherwisetreated. The chamber is potentially provided in a manner as defined inany of the above; (b) an imaging treating and/or device useful forimaging or otherwise treating the animal; and (c) bridging mechanism inconnection with the chamber and the device. Reference is now made toFIG. 5 which is a schematic representation (perspective view) of anintegrated anesthetizing, treating and imaging system according toanother embodiment of the invention; in a following step, theencapsulated container in which the support for laying the anesthetizedanimal is introduced within the imaging device via a bridging mechanism;Reference is now made to FIG. 6 a which is a schematic representation(top view) of SFs arrangement having H type and V type flapsorientations according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 b is a schematic representation (1^(st) side view) of the same;FIG. 6 c is a schematic representation (2^(nd) side view) of the same.In an illustrative manner, a cutout panel or window W is provided in thewall of the chamber. A horizontal SF H1 is stretched and fixed acrossthe cutout, in such a way as to leave an uncovered gap in the cutout ofabout one third. A horizontal SF H2 is stretched across the membrane insuch a way as to overlap the bottom two thirds portion of H1 andcomplete the coverage of H2. Thus the panel or window W is now coveredfrom the outside, yet can be penetrated by an object, negotiating it'saccess way or path between layers formed by H1 and H2. Theaforementioned H1 and H2 SFs taken together are designated herein as theH section. A vertical (V) section is also formed: Vertical apertures V1,V2, V3 and V4 are overlappingly stretched along the panel in thefollowing manner: V1 is stretched vertically down the right side of thepanel, covering about one quarter of the panel. V2 is stretchedvertically down the right side of the panel but somewhat leftwards fromthe side, overlaid on V1 and overlapping V1 by about one third of it'swidth. V3 is stretched vertically down the right side of the panel overV2 but somewhat leftwards over the V2s right margin, overlaid on V2,overlapping V2 by about one third. V4 is stretched vertically down theright side of the panel over V3 but somewhat leftwards over the V3 rightmargin, overlaid on V3, overlapping V3 by about one third. The panel isnow completely covered by elastic gas proof SFs since the H section andthe V section separately and together completely cover the cutput panelin the wall of the chamber and render it gas proof and leak proof.Moreover, and this is a core aspect of the invention, a hand or arm caneasily penetrate the opening formed by the panel and into the chamber bysimply negotiating it's access way through a passage formed the overlaidlayers of stretched elastic membrane material. In the arrangementdescribed above, it is clear that there are three locations along thepanel where an arm or hand can most easily penetrate the chamber andmanipulate within it wherein over-pressured or positive pressure gasdoes not escape.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which is a schematic representation(cross section) of an interior access zone in an SFs arrangement havingH type and V type flaps orientations according to another embodiment ofthe invention;

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of an SFs arrangement having H type and V typerotetably distorted flaps orientations according to another embodimentof the invention, here the flaps is having textures, apertures, openingsetc).

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which is a schematic representation(perspective view) of an SFs arrangement having H type and V typedislocated flaps orientations (dislocation along the X-Y main plane ofthe aperture) according to another embodiment of the invention, hereagain the flaps is having textures, apertures, openings etc).

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which is a schematic representation(top view) of SFs parallel arrangement according to another embodimentof the invention; and,

Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which is a schematic representation(top view) of SFs twisted arrangement according to another embodiment ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chamber having at least one operator handaccess port; said port comprising a port aperture located within saidchamber wall; and at least two flexible non-resilient lightweightsealing gas-tight flaps (SFs), disposed within the same plane of saidport aperture in an overlapping manner, entirely enclosing said portaperture; each of said SFs is defined by a port aperture edge andchamber edges; wherein said chamber edges are anchored to said chamberwall along more than half of the perimeter of said flap, at a distancefrom the center of the port greater than the radius of the port andbeyond its perimeter; further wherein said port aperture edge of eachflap is stretched across an entire chord of said port aperture; suchthat said stretched port apertures edges define an interior access zone,disposed within the same plane of said port aperture, characterizedsolely by said port aperture edges of said SFs.
 2. The chamber of claim1, wherein each of said SFs is a sheet-like member defined in a shapeselected from a group consisting of truncated circle; polygon,especially a polygon of a rectangular shape and a combination thereof.3. The chamber of claim 1, comprising SFs in a number ranging from agroup consisting of from 2 to 6; from 4 to 10; from 6 to 18; and from 10to
 60. 4. The chamber of claim 1, comprising a plurality of N operatorhand access ports; N is integer greater than
 1. 5. The chamber of claim1, wherein said chamber comprising at least one inlet and/or outlet toprovide a fluid to and/or from said chamber, such that the pressureand/or volume of said fluid within said chamber is different fromoutside said chamber; further wherein SFs provide fluid-tight sealingacross said port aperture during operation of said chamber andmanipulations therein.
 6. The chamber of claim 1, wherein the SFsfluid-tight sealing mechanism is adapted to set under a positive gaspressure.
 7. The chamber of claim 1, adapted by means of size and shapefor housing animals, especially small mammals.
 8. The chamber of claim1, adapted by means of size and shape for treating anaesthetizedanimals, said chamber is characterized by a mechanism to provide apositive anaesthetizing gas pressure within said at least a portion ofsaid chamber's volume; and by a SFs fluid-tight sealing mechanism,adapted to set under said gas pressure.
 9. The chamber of claim 1,wherein said each of said SFs comprises at least one substantiallyhorizontal section (H) and at least one substantially vertical (V)section, said sections at predetermined colliding orientations to eachother.
 10. The chamber of claim 1, wherein said at least one access portis located on a location selected from a group consisting of the side ofsaid chamber; the bottom of said chamber; the roof of said chamber and acombination thereof.
 11. The chamber of claim 1, wherein said chamber isprovided with a hermetically sealed communication means to a smallmammal imaging device, such that said small mammal may be inserted andwithdrawn from said imaging device without escape of gas from theinterior of said chamber.
 12. The chamber of claim 1, wherein saidchamber is adapted by means of size and shape to at least reversiblyaccommodate at least one animal, said chamber comprising at least onemechanism selected from a group consisting of a drop system mechanismfor administration of a fluid, especially an anesthetic material, tosaid animal; an anesthetic machine for administration of anaesthesia tosaid animal; fluid's feeding mechanism for administration of drug, foodor drinking to said animal; optical magnifying means (OMM) for viewingsaid animals; apertures for immobilizing, medically treating and/orimaging said animal; and a combination thereof.
 13. A method forproviding a fluid-tight sealed chamber; said method comprising steps of:a. providing at least one operator hand access port; b. providing saidport with a port aperture located within said chamber wall and at leasttwo flexible non-resilient lightweight sealing gas-tight flaps (SFs); c.disposing said SFs within the same plane of said port aperture in anoverlapping manner, entirely enclosing said port aperture; d. definingeach of said SFs by a port aperture edge and chamber edges; e. anchoringsaid chamber edges to said chamber wall; and, f. stretching said portaperture edge of each flap across an entire chord of said port aperture;wherein said step of anchoring said chamber edges to said chamber wallis performed along more than half of the perimeter of said flap, at adistance from the center of the port greater than the radius of the portand beyond its perimeter; further wherein said step of stretching saidport aperture edge of each flap across an entire chord of said portaperture defines said stretched port apertures edges with an interioraccess zone, disposed within the same plane of said port aperture,characterized solely by said port aperture edges of said SFs.
 14. Amethod for manipulating, medically treating or imaging animal duringanaesthetic procedures without exposure to escaping gases, wherein saidmethod comprising: a. obtaining a chamber having at least one operatorhand access port; said port comprising a port aperture located withinsaid chamber wall; and at least two flexible non-resilient lightweightsealing gas-tight flaps (SFs), disposed within the same plane of saidport aperture in an overlapping manner, entirely enclosing said portaperture; each of said SFs is defined by a port aperture edge andchamber edges; said chamber edges are anchored to said chamber wallalong more than half of the perimeter of said flap, at a distance fromthe center of the port greater than the radius of the port and beyondits perimeter; said port aperture edge of each flap is stretched acrossan entire chord of said port aperture; such that said stretched portapertures edges define an interior access zone, disposed within the sameplane of said port aperture, characterized solely by said port apertureedges of said SFs; b. placing said animal in said chamber; c.anaesthetizing said animal with an anaesthetizing gas; and d.manipulating said animal via said access ports such that substantiallyno gases escape from said chamber.
 15. An integrated imaging system forimagine or otherwise treat anesthetized animals, said system comprising(a) a chamber set in a shape and dimensions to at least temporarilyaccommodating an animal to be anesthetized, imagined or otherwisetreated, having at least one operator hand access port; said portcomprising a port aperture located within said chamber wall; and atleast two flexible non-resilient lightweight sealing gas-tight flaps(SFs), disposed within the same plane of said port aperture in anoverlapping manner, entirely enclosing said port aperture; each of saidSFs is defined by a port aperture edge and chamber edges; wherein saidchamber edges are anchored to said chamber wall along more than half ofthe perimeter of said flap, at a distance from the center of the portgreater than the radius of the port and beyond its perimeter; furtherwherein said port aperture edge of each flap is stretched across anentire chord of said port aperture; such that said stretched portapertures edges define an interior access zone, disposed within the sameplane of said port aperture, characterized solely by said port apertureedges of said SFs; (b) an imaging treating and/or device useful forimaging or otherwise treating said animal; and (c) bridging mechanism inconnection with said chamber and said device.